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Krishen Khanna — featured artwork

Introduction

Zodiac sign
Cancer
Place of Birth
Lyallpur, Punjab, Undivided India | Present-day Pakistan
State Country of Birth
Punjab, Undivided India | Present-day Pakistan

Chronicled Highlights 191948 – 2022

Krishen Khanna — Lyallpur, Punjab, Undivided India | Present-day Pakistan.

1948
Public Auction HighPainting
Sotheby's · Indian and Southeast Asian Art: Including Modern Indian Paintings from The Wilberding CollectionNew York · 20 September 2005

In 2005, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of News Of Gandhiji's Death (1948), offered in the Indian and Southeast Asian Art: Including Modern Indian Paintings from The Wilberding Collection by Sotheby's, which concluded on 20 September 2005 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹39,51,900 ($90,000). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.

Khanna, Krishen (Artist). News Of Gandhiji's Death, 1948 | Painting
Selling price
INR39,51,900
100% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 15,36,850 – 19,75,950
Rate per sq in
INR 3,521
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
33.5 × 33.5 in (85 × 85 cm)
Lot
189 · So.NeY/20.09.05
1960
Literary ReferencePainting
Saffronart · Spring Online Auction: South Asian Modern ArtOnline · 17 March 2023

When you paint a work you don’t know where it’s going to be. At that time all you are concerned about is how you are going to paint it.

Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Untitled (Landscape at Dusk), 1960 | Painting
Selling price
INR54,12,000
120% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 20,50,000 – 24,60,000
Rate per sq in
INR 6,882
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
25.2 × 31.3 in (64 × 79 cm)
Lot
64 · Sa.Onl/17.03.23
1971
Public Auction HighPainting
Christie's · Indian Contemporary Paintings: Islamic Works of Art and Indian, Himalaya and South-East Asian ArtLondon · 16 October 1995

In 1995, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Who? (1971), offered in the Indian Contemporary Paintings: Islamic Works of Art and Indian, Himalaya and South-East Asian Art by Christie's, which concluded on 16 October 1995 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹3,62,848 ($10,582). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.

Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Who?, 1971 | Painting
Selling price
INR3,62,848
124% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 1,35,188 – 1,62,225
Rate per sq in
INR 168
Medium
Oil on board
Dimensions
60 × 36 in (152 × 91 cm)
Lot
53 · Ch.Lon/16.10.95
1973
Public Auction HighPainting
Sotheby's · The Indian SaleLondon · 08 May 1997

In 1997, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of The Anatomy Lesson (1973), offered in the The Indian Sale by Sotheby's, which concluded on 08 May 1997 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹8,01,323 ($22,380). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.

Khanna, Krishen (Artist). The Anatomy Lesson, 1973 | Painting
Selling price
INR8,01,323
38% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 4,06,468 – 5,80,669
Rate per sq in
INR 223
Medium
Black oil on canvas
Dimensions
42.5 × 84.6 in (108 × 215 cm)
Lot
377 · So.Lon/08.05.97
1975
Public Auction HighPainting
Sotheby's · Indian Art: Including Miniatures and Modern PaintingsNew York · 22 March 2007

In 2007, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of The Anatomy Lesson (1975), offered in the Indian Art: Including Miniatures and Modern Paintings by Sotheby's, which concluded on 22 March 2007 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹1,15,26,240 ($264,000). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.

Khanna, Krishen (Artist). The Anatomy Lesson, 1975 | Painting
Selling price
INR1,15,26,240
20% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 78,58,800 – 96,05,200
Rate per sq in
INR 1,742
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
68.9 × 96.1 in (175 × 244 cm)
Lot
79 · So.NeY/22.03.07
1975
Public Auction HighPainting
Pundole · The Fine Art Sale including Property from the Estate of Tina and Bakul Khote, the Collection of Beroze and Michel Sabatier and a Distinguished GentlemanOnline · 06 August 2020

In 2020, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (Road to calvary) (1975), offered in the The Fine Art Sale including Property from the Estate of Tina and Bakul Khote, the Collection of Beroze and Michel Sabatier and a Distinguished Gentleman by Pundole, which concluded on 06 August 2020 at Online, achieving a sale price of ₹2,40,00,000 ($320,602.3). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.

Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Untitled (Road to calvary), 1974-1975 | Painting
Selling price
INR2,40,00,000
100% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 80,00,000 – 1,20,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 7,180
Medium
Oil on acrylic on canvas
Dimensions
69.8 × 47.9 in (177 × 122 cm)
Lot
18 · Pu.Onl/06.08.20
Provenance
From the estate of tina and Bakul Khote, the collection of Beroze and Michel Sabatier and a distinguished gentleman
1978
Public Auction HighPainting
Asta Guru · Modern & Contemporary Indian ArtMumbai · 23 August 2017

In 2017, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Doubting Thomas with Jesus (1978), offered in the Modern & Contemporary Indian Art by Asta Guru, which concluded on 23 August 2017 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹1,37,21,738 ($213,976.88). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.

Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Doubting Thomas with Jesus, 1978 | Painting
Selling price
INR1,37,21,738
14% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 80,00,000 – 1,20,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 5,808
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
63 × 37.5 in (160 × 95 cm)
Signature
Signed : Bottom Right S/d : On the Reverse
Lot
25 · AG.Mum/23.08.17
Provenance
From a private Delhi based collection.
1980
Public Auction HighPainting
Asta Guru · Modern Indian ArtOnline · 28 December 2021

In 2021, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (1980), offered in the Modern Indian Art by Asta Guru, which concluded on 28 December 2021 at Online, achieving a sale price of ₹3,84,78,138 ($514,050.75). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.

Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Untitled, c.1980 | Painting
Selling price
INR3,84,78,138
196% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 1,00,00,000 – 1,30,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 7,703
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
45 × 111 in (114 × 282 cm)
Lot
16 · AG.Onl/28.12.21
1984
Public Auction HighPainting
Christie's · Indian and Southeast Asian Art: Including 20th Century Indian PaintingsNew York · 17 September 2003

In 2003, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (1984), offered in the Indian and Southeast Asian Art: Including 20th Century Indian Paintings by Christie's, which concluded on 17 September 2003 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹9,32,896 ($20,307). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.

Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Untitled, 1984 | Painting
Selling price
INR9,32,896
13% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 5,51,280 – 8,26,920
Rate per sq in
INR 297
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
70 × 44.9 in (178 × 114 cm)
Lot
171 · Ch.NeY/17.09.03
1986
Literary ReferenceDrawing
Osian's · Masterpieces & Museum Quality Indian Modern & Contemporary PaintingsMumbai · 05 December 2002

When we talk about the social responsibility of an artist, we are expecting him to be some kind of social reformer. Isn’t it sufficient that he is doing his work and doing it well, and that in the performance of his work he is also contributing to a richer experience of life and existence? I don’t think the artist has to pay direct homage to life as such. The fact that he is working is, to my mind, sufficient. He is performing a very important function. He is serving through the best means he can. He continues to do his work and the work doesn’t have to be about life in any way. It is life itself. Art is a fait accompli.

Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Untitled, 1986 | Drawing
Selling price
INR93,500
Below low estimate
Estimate
INR 1,00,000 – 1,50,000
Rate per sq in
INR 148
Medium
Charcoal on paper
Dimensions
29.3 × 21.6 in (74 × 55 cm)
Lot
120 · Os.Mum/05.12.02
1987
Image 1/2
First Auction Appearance | BOOK.AUCPainting
Christie's · Contemporary Indian Art (Charity Auction)Mumbai · 20 December 1987

On 20 December 1987, Krishen Khanna made their debut in the Indian public auction market when ST. Francis and the Wolf was presented as Lot 14 in Contemporary Indian Art (Charity Auction), conducted by Christie's in Mumbai, India. This auction marked the artist's first recorded appearance in the public auction market, establishing the earliest chapter of their auction history.

Khanna, Krishen (Artist). ST. Francis and the Wolf, n.d. | Painting
Medium
Acrylic on canvas
Lot
14 · Ch.Mum/20.12.87
1988
Public Auction HighPainting
Christie's · Indian and Southeast Asian Art: Including 20th Century Indian PaintingsNew York · 25 March 2004

In 2004, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Pieta (1988), offered in the Indian and Southeast Asian Art: Including 20th Century Indian Paintings by Christie's, which concluded on 25 March 2004 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹21,39,050 ($47,800). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.

Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Pieta, 1988 | Painting
Selling price
INR21,39,050
59% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 11,18,750 – 13,42,500
Rate per sq in
INR 497
Medium
Acrylic on canvas
Dimensions
51.6 × 83.5 in (131 × 212 cm)
Lot
211 · Ch.NeY/25.03.04
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